Criminal Justice Colleges in South Carolina

The Blue Ridge mountain state of South Carolina is well known for its mild winter weather, rich southern cuisine, over 200 miles of beaches and 368 golf courses. But with at least 37 criminal justice colleges in South Carolina, it is also a great place for earning a degree in criminal justice. For those who live in the countryside, or are otherwise far away from a campus, online criminal justice schools in South Carolina are a great option. In-demand law enforcement jobs in South Carolina include police officers and juvenile law enforcement professionals.

Salaries and Outlook for Law Enforcement Jobs in South Carolina

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the 2009 mean annual salary for protective services, including those with law enforcement jobs in South Carolina, was $32,680, compared to the 2009 national mean of $41,740. There were 44,560 protective service employees in South Carolina in 2009, equaling one per 102.3 people, compared with one per 96.8 nationally. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, South Carolina's violent crime rate has exceeded the national average since 1975, including juvenile crime. In fact, the rate for juvenile arrests for violent crimes increased by 152.9 percent between 1976 and 2008. According to the FBI, 2009 crime rates (per 100,000 people) in South Carolina included:

Violent crime: 670.8 (national average = 429.4)

Murder: 6.3 (national average = 5)

Robbery: 125.7 (national average = 133)

Property crime: 3,888.6 (national average = 3,036.1)

Nonetheless, graduates of criminal justice schools in South Carolina are cutting crime rates. In all areas of crime, rates decreased between 2008 and 2009. The biggest decrease was seen in motor vehicle theft, which dropped by 24.2 percent; still, the 297.4/100,000 occurrences exceeds the national average of 258.8. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports the counties of Dillon, Marlboro, Fairfield, and Chester as experiencing the highest crime rates.